Learning to walk before I run

edinburgher

You know the only thing worse than finding a contractor? DIY!

Tried to fix a leaking tap (one of two):

1. Ordered more washers from Scr3wfix than any man could use in a lifetime - none of them fit my tap. Returned them
2. Ordered replacement cartirdges from Scr3wfix, they don't fix, return them
3. Go online to order replacement cartridges. Turns out that while I have measured the cartridge width and the number of splines (tiny metal teeth at the end), I also need the length. Strip the tap for the third time (turn off mains water, remove tiny screw with allen key, unscrew tap, use wrench to remove cartridge)

An hour and a quarter later and I have a) a bad mood and b) possibly matching cartridges getting delivered tomorrow. Off for a walk to get over the annoyance...

Suffolk_lass

I fitted new taps to the washbasin in our bathroom and they each turn a quarter turn in opposite directions...:

1. View Youtube and check out any number of plumbing forums
2. Turn off the well thought through isolation valves on hot and cold water feeds (one does not work properly) - insert step 3
3. Find the mains tap under the downstairs sink, turn that off, having first paused the washing machine 
4. strip down taps, reverse the component, put back together, 
5. turn everything back on and try it out - result = exactly as it was 
6. Follow steps 1, 2 & 3, swap the components between the taps, to have them working more logically, put everything back together, water back on - makes no effing difference
7. Read internet endlessly, for several days, consult husband (he can't get into the space so it is a me job), despair
8. Ask plumber who lives opposite. He comes over, takes a look and advises that the four hours of my life I won't get back again were pointless because although these taps have handles, they were designed to be used with levers, like in medical establishments, so they can be operated with elbows, and they all go in to be on and out to turn off.
9. Reconcile self to poor purchase decision and get over it until...
10. First visitors to stay overnight resurrect the whole process by telling me I have installed the taps all wrong.

Weep quietly to self. Welcome to my world. I feel your pain

badmemory

My father taught me loads about DIY & one thing he certainly taught me was don't touch the plumbing.  He would even do electrics but not plumbing.  He did draw the line at some of the electrics in this house though because all the wires to the downstairs lighting were the same colour, also the screws inside the plug sockets were not tightened so whenever we wallpapered the paste would go inside & fuse them.

edinburgher

@Suffolk_lass - ok - you win the frustration internet! The re-fitted tap now spins in a 360 degree circle

Suffolk_lass

I think @badmemory might be onto something re plumbing! Although while water leaks or mishaps are awful I always think fiddling with electrics if you don't know the set up is much more dangerous. I really do empathise

chicker

edinburgher said:

You know the only thing worse than finding a contractor? DIY!

Tried to fix a leaking tap (one of two):

1. Ordered more washers from Scr3wfix than any man could use in a lifetime - none of them fit my tap. Returned them
2. Ordered replacement cartirdges from Scr3wfix, they don't fix, return them
3. Go online to order replacement cartridges. Turns out that while I have measured the cartridge width and the number of splines (tiny metal teeth at the end), I also need the length. Strip the tap for the third time (turn off mains water, remove tiny screw with allen key, unscrew tap, use wrench to remove cartridge)

An hour and a quarter later and I have a) a bad mood and b) possibly matching cartridges getting delivered tomorrow. Off for a walk to get over the annoyance...

This made me laugh. My husband is a builder. He can build a school so why can't he fix a tap (or anything else) without 6+ hours work, 3 trips to screwfix, 2 phone calls for advice and an enormous mess left to me to clear up? In his (and your) defence, he does say plumbing is the worst job...

julicorn

Mr julicorn and I fitted a new kitchen sink and tap about a year ago. It involved 4 trips to Wickes (trying to find the right parts), and ended up with the tap being connected the wrong way round. Ah well, we can live with the cold water being on the left  

edinburgher

Replacement cartridges didn't fit. Ordered a third set, will be finding a plumber after that 

Suffolk_lass

Nightmare! That is part of the reason why I bought new taps, but even that was not MOP-proof. That and limescale build-up round the tap spout

Watty1

Sorry to say this but the plumbing is an entertaining read but only because I am reading it and not living it